The cause has been revealed of a wildfire reported last month in which a large amount of livestock were threatened and property was lost near Green River, Wyoming. Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office reports that the March 21st wildfire in the Scotts Bottom area was caused by an escaped cooking fire started by two juveniles who were fishing along the east bank of the Green River. The juveniles started a cooking fire inside a hollow log to cook fish they had caught. In dry, windy conditions, embers from the log spread into the surrounding grass, and the fire quickly grew beyond their control. The wildfire ultimately burned 36 acres of city and private property, destroying multiple structures and other property at the CMS Horse Corrals. One horse died from injuries sustained during the fire. Investigators estimate the total losses at approximately $500,000. The investigation is now complete, and the case will be forwarded to the Sweetwater County Attorney’s Office for review.
